Impulse-emitting device for labelapplying machines



Ew r June 6, 1961 T. ORTENBLAD 2,987,591

IMPULSE-EMITTING DEVICE FOR LABEL-APPLYING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1960IN VEN TOR.

T. O ff/enb 5011/ United States Patent 2,987,591 llVIPULSE-EMI'ITIN GDEVICE FOR LABEL- APPLYING MACHINES Ture Ortenblad, 30BrodragatamGothenbul-g, Sweden Filed Feb. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 8,598

2 Claims. (Cl. 200--61.41)

This invention relates to label-applying machines where self-adhesivelabels are used, which are, spaced from each other, lightly adhered in arow to a conveyer band in order to be successively transmitted from saidconveyer band onto objects of different kinds, such as packings,parcels, boxes, tins, bottles and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide for machines of such kind adevice which will with full reliability emit an impulse for each passinglabel for automatic starting and regulating of different devices andapparatus, such as label counting and label printing machines, conveyersfor the packings and the like, which are of need for the automatic labelapplying service.

Another object of the invention is to provide for machines of such kindan impulse-emitting device which will in coaction with the passinglabels bring forth a very much larger impulse-emitting movement than amovement based only on the very minor thickness of the label.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide for machines ofsuch kind an impulse-emitting device which will automatically change itsworking position from a label to the next one during the passingmovements of the labels.

With these and other objects in mind the invention consists in animpulse-emitting device in the shape of a feeler disposed in coactionwith the labels, which are arranged in a row and spaced from each otheron a passing labelcarrying conveyor band, a feeler arm of said feelerbeing in working position counter-directed the movement direction of theconveyer band and inclined to touch a label by an edge-shaped end, saidfeeler being arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and tobe raised to increased distance from the label by the feeler arm whenthis arm, in abutting position against the foremost edge of the labelwithin the corresponding space between the labels, is brought to followthe forward movement of the conveyer band, the elevation of the feeler,essentially enlarged in comparison with the minor thickness of thelabel, bringing the feeler or a part connected therewith to abuttingaction against an impulse-transmitting member.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which the invention isdiagrammatically illustrated by way of example:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the feeler body in the exemplifiedembodiment.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are side views of the feeler arrangement in a minorscale and with the feeler in two different positions.

In the feeler arrangement, shown in the drawing, the feeler 1 consistsof a hub which is pivotable on an axle pin 2 and provided with threefeeler arms 1a, 1b, 1c, radially directed and symmetrically positionedwith an angle of 120 between each other. The feeler arms, provided withend edges, are intended to coact with the selfadhering labels 4a, 4b, 40which are arranged in a row with spaces 3a, 3b, 30 between them andlightly attached to a conveyer band 5 underlying the feeler and passingthe feeler normally in horizontal direction. The axle pin 2 ispositioned at the outer end of a carrying arm 7 which is swingablyarranged on an axle 6 supported by a stationary foot 10, said carryingarm having free swingable movement to and from the conveyer band.Further the carrying arm is provided with a head 8 preferably positionedabove the feeler in such a way that the head will in an elevatedposition of the feeler abut against a springy electric contact 9 toclose one or more electric circuits 11 for the running or stopping oflabel counting and label printing machines, conveyers for the packingsand so forth.

In use two of the feeler arms, for instance 1a, 1b, rest and slide onthe underlying label, for instance the label 4a, as shown in FIGURE 2during a forward moving of the conveyer band, whereon the labels areloosely attached in a row. The feeler and the carrying swingable arm 7maintain this lower position by their own weight though spring pressurealso may be used if desired. When the downwards inclined rear feeler arm1a reaches the space 3a between the label 40: and the next label 4b, theend edge of the arm enters this space and abuts against the forward edgeof the label 4b. The result will be that the feeler arm 1a is withdrawnin the forward direction movement of the label, and the feeler arm willact as a lever which in touch with said label edge swings forward topass vertical position and take up the forward directed position havingearlier been occupied by the feeler arm 1b. During the first portion ofthe movement the feeler arm 1a raises the swingable arm 7 to close theelectric contact 9, and said swingable arm will during the continuedmovement of the feeler arm lower itself again and break the contactcircuit 11. The electric impulse, thus emitted, will act on relays orsuch like for the purpose mentioned above. As easily understood theelevation of the feeler-carrying swingable arm 7 will be essentiallygreater than the tiny thickness of the label edge, executing effectivelythe impulse emittance aimed at. At the end of the movement the feelerarm 10 has been inclined downWards-rearwards and brought to rest on thelabel 412. Both the feeler arms 1c and 1a will thereafter slide instable position along the latter label, until the feeler arm '10 entersthe next space 3b between the labels and abuts against the next labeledge repeating the turning of the feeler and the raising of theswingable arm 7 as well as sending out a new electric impulse.

Eariler known impulse-emitters at label bands work according to thepickup-principle. On account of the wear in pickup-feelers, transmittingmembers and microswitches as well as on account of the minor thicknessof the label edge (somewhat of an inch) the reliability of the workingwill suffer and the details will demand perpetual adjustments andsurvey.

The present arrangement, however, must be regarded as containingself-adjusting feelers, as the edge of the feeler arms will not getblunt but maintain its sharpness by its sliding movement on the labelsurface.

It is to be understood that the embodiment described and shown is to beregarded as an example. The feeler body may have any desired number ofarms and may coact with a guide during its elevation movement instead ofbeing carried by a swingable arm. Instead of the electric contact theimpulse from the feeler may be transmitted by mechanical means.

I claim:

1. An impulse-emitting device for a label-applying machine in use forself-adhesive labels, consisting of a feeler body disposed to coact withthe labels, which are loosely attached in a row and spaced from eachother on a movable label-carrying conveyer band passing the feeler body,a feeler arm stretching out from said feeler body being in workingposition counter-directed the movement direction of the conveyer bandand inclined to touch the labels by an edge-shaped end, said feeler bodybeing arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and to beraised in coaction with a guiding member to increased distance from thelabel by the feeler arm, when the latter in abutting position againstthe foremost edge of the label within a corresponding space between thelabels is brought to be 3 withdrawn in the forward movement of theconveyer band and thereby turning and raising the feeler body, theelevation of the feeler body bringing the same to cause an abuttingaction against an impulse-transmitting member, said feeler arm being oneof a number of feeler arms, preferably three such arms, symmetricallydisposed around the circumference of a hub-like feeler body andsuccessively brought into action against the labels by the turning ofthe feeler body.

2. An impulse-emitting device for a label-applying machine in use forself-adhesive labels, consisting of a feeler body disposed to coact withthe labels, which are loosely attached in a row and spaced from eachother on a movable label-carrying conveyer band passing the feeler body,a feeler arm stretching out from said feeler body being in workingposition counter-directed the movement direction of the conveyer bandand inclined to touch the labels by an edge-shaped end, said feeler bodybeing arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and to beraised in coaction with a guiding mmber to increased distance from thelabel by the feeler arm, when the latter in abutting position againstthe foremost edge of the label within a corresponding space between thelabels is brought to be withdrawn in the forward movement of theconveyer band and thereby turning and raising the feeler body, theelevation of the feeler body bringing the same to cause an abuttingaction against an impulse-transmitting member, said feeler arm being oneof a number of feeler arms, preferably three such arms, symmetricallydisposed around the circumference of a hub-like feeler body andsuccessively brought into action against the labels by the turning ofthe feeler body, the guiding member having the shape of a swingablypositioned arm stretching out from a stationary post and carrying thefeeler body, said feeler body being pivotably mounted on the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

